‘Outside Time’ is new folk trio Tarren’s follow up to their critically acclaimed debut ‘Revel’, an album that established their unique sound and quickly gained them a loyal following. ‘Outside Time’ develops this sound, weaving personal themes into music that explores the meaning of home and the joys of togetherness, belonging and community. Combining cittern and concertina (Sid Goldsmith), fiddle (Alex Garden), and accordion (Danny Pedler) their distinctive sound successfully marries ancient forms with modern issues and contemporary song and tune writing. ‘Outside Time’ will be released on 7 September with accompanying live dates including King’s Place, London on 19 September.

The third single taken from the album, ‘Sunk,’ written by Danny Pedler, will be released on 30 August. While touring has strengthened their friendship and musical connection, it also took each of them back to the places they came from, affecting them all in different ways. ‘Sunk’ grew directly out of this experience and combines many of the themes on the new album, engaging modern issues while retaining folk flavours, combining the contemporary with the traditional and advocating human togetherness. The track suggests home and seeking connection as being a vital part of humanity and returning to your roots as a form of self-care to gain respite from low self-esteem.

Other tracks on the album include ‘Jolly Bold Robber’, a moralistic and cautionary tale warning against excess and greed, and ‘Spencer the Rover’, a gem from the Copper Family repertoire, expertly arranged by the trio bringing a modern twist to these traditional stalwarts. ‘Dan-Y-Bont’, named after the river in Wales, combines minimalist interlocking ostinati with traditional dance tune forms to represent the incessant tumbling of the water. ‘Super 8’ as written in a treehouse in the Scottish Highlands and inspired by the Jake Williams film Two Years at Sea and the jig, ‘Atherfield’, was brought to the band by Danny who once danced to the tune with Harlequin Morris.

One of the personal themes Tarren wished to explore was the space that folk inhabits in today’s world and to consider where they stood as a band with a non-binary member. Awarded a bursary from the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS), the trio were able to explore gender variance in English traditional song.  During their research they found three traditional songs – ‘The Handsome Cabin Boy’, ‘Bold William Taylor’ and ‘Pretty Drummer Boy’ – that all featured an element of cross-dressing or non-conformity of traditional gender roles. This resulted in the song ‘Neither Maid Nor Man,’ a compilation of traditional songs but brought bang up to date by the final verse, written by Alex Garden, now relevant for modern audiences.

Tour Dates as follows:

17 Sept                The Lighthouse, POOLE

18 Sept                The Arc, WINCHESTER

19 Sept                King’s Place, LONDON

20 Sept                Sounds St Leonard’s, ST LEONARDS ON SEA

22 Sept                The Locks Inn, BECCLES, SUFFOLK

26 Sept                The Globe, NEWCASTLE

27 Sept               Horse & Bamboo, ROSSENDALE

28 Sept                All Hallows Hall, LEEDS

2 Oct                   Folk Club, NUNEATON

4 Oct                   Clwb-y-Bont, PONTYPRIDD

26 Oct                  St George’s, BRISTOL

‘Outside Time’ is released on 7 September 2024 on Many a Thousand Records and is available on vinyl, CD and on all digital streaming platforms.

For further information please visit: www.tarrenmusic.com